Date: 2026-01-16Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Central Wool Development Board in collaboration with ICAR organises a Chintan Shivir, on" Challenges, Opportunities and Future Prospects of the Indian Wool Sector” in Avikanagar
**Executive Summary**
The Central Wool Development Board (CWDB), in collaboration with ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI), organized a "Chintan Shivir" in Avikanagar, Rajasthan on January 16, 2026. The event focused on challenges, opportunities, and the future prospects of the Indian wool sector. Key stakeholders participated to deliberate on current issues, strategies, and action plans for holistic development.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Event Overview:**
* A one-day "Chintan Shivir" was organized by CWDB and ICAR-CSWRI.
* The event took place in Avikanagar, Rajasthan.
* The event included participation from officials from Government of India departments, representatives from state governments, research institutions, academic institutions, industries, start-ups, and non-governmental organizations.
* **Technical Sessions:**
* Four technical sessions were conducted.
* Topics included: sheep rearing, wool production, wool pre-processing, research and development, sustainability, value addition, Common Facility Centres (CFCs), value chain strengthening, and marketing and branding of wool products.
* **Recommendations and Outcomes:**
* Strengthening the entire wool value chain.
* Improving pre-processing activities (collection, grading, scouring).
* Establishing a Centre of Excellence for branding.
* Creating strategically located CFCs based on economic analysis.
* Branding Indian wool and wool products.
* Strengthening research and development initiatives.
* **Key Speakers and Their Focus:**
* Smt. Neelam Shami Rao (Secretary, Textiles): Outlined the way forward for the holistic development of the Indian wool sector, emphasized R&D, and the importance of collectives.
* Smt. Padmini Singla (Joint Secretary, Textiles): Stressed the importance of treating wool production, processing, product development, and promotion as an integrated value chain.
* Shri Rudra Gaur (Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Leh-Ladakh): Highlighted region-specific challenges in Ladakh and advocated for a dedicated institutional mechanism for wool sector development.
* **Additional Activities:**
* A technology exhibition was organized, showcasing sheep and rabbit breeds, apparel-grade wool products, technical textile products, and start-up innovations.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of India Departments Related to Wool Sector**
* **Impact:** Informed about the current challenges, opportunities, and future strategies for the Indian wool sector.
* **Action Required:** To contribute to the implementation of action plans and initiatives discussed during the Chintan Shivir.
**State Governments (Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Punjab)**
* **Impact:** Gained insights into the challenges and opportunities specific to their regions regarding wool production and processing.
* **Action Required:** To align their regional policies and initiatives with the national strategy for the wool sector development.
**Textile Committee, Research Institutions, Academic Institutions, Industries, Start-ups, and Non-Governmental Organizations**
* **Impact:** Had the opportunity to contribute to the discussions and deliberations, potentially influencing the future direction of the wool sector.
* **Action Required:** To collaborate on research and development initiatives, implement best practices, and support the growth of the wool industry.
**Sheep Farmers Across the Country**
* **Impact:** Will benefit from the initiatives being undertaken by CWDB for their welfare and upliftment.
* **Action Required:** To engage with CWDB programs and adopt new technologies and practices to improve wool production.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Wool Development Board (CWDB): Organiser of the 'Chintan Shivir' event, working for the welfare and upliftment of sheep farmers in India.
Ministry of Textiles: The ministry under which the Central Wool Development Board operates.
Chintan Shivir: A one-day event focusing on challenges, opportunities, and future prospects of the Indian wool sector.
ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI): Location of the Chintan Shivir, involved in research and development in the wool sector.
Avikanagar: The location in Rajasthan where the 'Chintan Shivir' was held.
Ministry of Textiles
Central Wool Development Board in
collaboration with ICAR organises a Chintan
Shivir, on" Challenges, Opportunities and Future
Prospects of the Indian Wool Sector” in
Avikanagar
प्रव तथ: 16 JAN 2026 10:01PM by PIB Delhi
A one-day “Chintan Shivir on Challenges, Opportunities and Future Prospects of the Indian Wool Sector”
was organised by the Central Wool Development Board (CWDB), Ministry of Textiles, in collaboration
with ICAR–Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI) today at Avikanagar in Rajasthan. The
programme was presided over by Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary( Textiles), as the Chief Guest.Smt.
Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
The Chintan Shivir witnessed wide participation from officials of Government of India departments
related to the wool sector and representatives from State Governments, including Rajasthan, Himachal
Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Punjab.
Representatives from other stakeholder organisations such as the Textile Committee, research institutions,
academic institutions, industries, start-ups, and non-governmental organisations also actively participated
and contributed to the deliberations.
Four technical sessions were conducted during the Chintan Shivir, wherein expert panels deliberated on
key themes including sheep rearing, wool production, wool pre-processing, research and development,
sustainability, value addition, Common Facility Centres (CFCs), value chain strengthening, and marketing
and branding of wool and wool products. Detailed discussions were held on current challenges, available
opportunities, and future strategies and action plans.Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, (Textiles), while summarising the key recommendations emerging
from the deliberations, outlined the way forward for the holistic development of the Indian wool sector.
She emphasised that R&D work must be done keeping in focus the economics of wool production and
processing. She mentioned that the role of collectives is extremely important in the wool sector and
through public-private initiatives they should be encouraged to boost the wool sector.
In her keynote address, Smt. Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary, (Textiles), stressed the importance of
treating wool production, processing, product development, and promotion as an integrated value chain.
She underscored the need for end-to-end analysis and strategic interventions to enhance competitiveness
and sustainability in the wool sector.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Rudra Gaur, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Leh–Ladakh,
highlighted region-specific challenges faced by the wool sector in Ladakh. He emphasised the need to
develop the wool sector on par with other agricultural commodities and advocated the creation of a
dedicated institutional mechanism focused exclusively on wool sector development.Major outcomes of the Chintan Shivir included pathbreaking recommendations on strengthening the entire
wool value chain including pre-processing activities such as collection, grading, and scouring;
establishment of a Centre of Excellence for branding; creation of strategically located CFCs based on
economic analysis; branding of Indian wool and wool products; and strengthening research and
development initiatives.
Dr. Arun Kumar Tomar, Director, ICAR-CSWRI, Avikanagar, warmly welcomed all dignitaries by
presenting wool products developed by the institute. He briefed the guests on the institute’s research and
development initiatives in the areas of wool production and advanced woollen technologies. Shri GopalSingh Bhati, Executive Director, Central Wool Development Board, Jodhpur, outlined the objectives of the
Chintan Shivir and highlighted the various initiatives being undertaken by CWDB for the welfare and
upliftment of sheep farmers across the country.
A technology exhibition was organised alongside the Chintan Shivir, showcasing different breeds of sheep
and rabbits, apparel-grade wool products, technical textile products made from coarse wool, and
innovations developed by various research organisations. Several start-ups also displayed their products
and technologies. The dignitaries visited the exhibition, textile unit, agribusiness incubation center at
ICAR-CSWRI
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